Ecuador President Daniel Noboa Nominated for Full-term Candidacy

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa has been confirmed as the National Democratic Action political movement's candidate for the upcoming February presidential election. Noboa, initially elected for a shortened term in 2023, aims to win his first full four-year term. Supported by his vice-presidential running mate Maria Jose Pinto, Noboa has implemented various security measures to combat Ecuador's high crime rate.

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa's National Democratic Action political movement officially confirmed him on Friday as its candidate for the presidential election in February, positioning him for a potential first full four-year term in office.

Noboa, 36, the son of Ecuador's wealthiest businessman, initially came into power in 2023, serving an 18-month term following predecessor Guillermo Lasso's early election call amid impeachment threats. As a member of a prominent family of banana plantation owners, Noboa campaigned on reducing Ecuador's rampant crime attributed to drug trafficking gangs.

In January, Noboa declared a national state of war, labeling 22 groups as terrorist organizations. Upcoming February elections will also include lawmakers for the National Assembly. Maria Jose Pinto, tasked with addressing infant malnutrition, has been selected as Noboa's vice-presidential candidate. Amid increasing anti-crime efforts, Noboa enforced states of emergency allowing military patrols. His security measures, endorsed via an April referendum, included stricter firearm controls and eliminating parole for certain offenses. As a result, violent deaths fell by 19% through July 2024 compared to the previous year.